Effectiveness of Probiotic Use in Alleviating Symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A Systematic Review.

2024-04-15
Cureus 16(4)

PubMed: 38752062
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.58306

Study Design

Type: Review
Population: people with IBS
Methods: This systematic review aimed to assess the most current randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on how probiotic supplementation affects the symptoms in people with IBS. The effects of probiotic supplements on IBS symptoms were studied in RCTs published between January 2018 and June 2023. After a search through PubMed and Google Scholar using the keywords probiotics, gut microbiota, irritable bowel syndrome, and IBS; eight articles matched the inclusion criteria and were reviewed.

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common functional gastrointestinal (GI) condition, and changes in the gut microbiota's composition contribute to the development of symptoms. Although the precise mechanisms of probiotic use in the human body are not fully understood, probiotic supplements are believed to reduce symptoms, such as abdominal pain, by regulating neurotransmitters and receptors associated with pain modulation in IBS patients compared to placebo by altering the gut flora. This systematic review aimed to assess the most current randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on how probiotic supplementation affects the symptoms in people with IBS. The effects of probiotic supplements on IBS symptoms were studied in RCTs published between January 2018 and June 2023. After a search through PubMed and Google Scholar using the keywords probiotics, gut microbiota, irritable bowel syndrome, and IBS; eight articles matched the inclusion criteria and were reviewed. Four trials used a multistrain probiotic, whereas the remaining four trials examined the effects of a monostrain supplement. All eight trials came to the same conclusion: Probiotic treatment may significantly reduce symptoms.

Research Insights

Supplement	Dose	Health Outcome	Effect Type	Effect Size	Source
Bifidobacterium lactis UABla-12	—	Reduced Irritable Bowel Syndrome Symptoms	Beneficial	Moderate	View source All eight trials came to the same conclusion: Probiotic treatment may significantly reduce symptoms.
Lactobacillus casei PXN 37	—	Reduced Irritable Bowel Syndrome Symptoms	Beneficial	Moderate	View source All eight trials came to the same conclusion: Probiotic treatment may significantly reduce symptoms.
Lactobacillus paracasei HA-196	—	Reduced Irritable Bowel Syndrome Symptoms	Beneficial	Moderate	View source All eight trials came to the same conclusion: Probiotic treatment may significantly reduce symptoms.
Lactobacillus rhamnosus PXN 54	—	Reduced Irritable Bowel Syndrome Symptoms	Beneficial	Moderate	View source All eight trials came to the same conclusion: Probiotic treatment may significantly reduce symptoms.
Streptococcus thermophilus PXN 66	—	Reduced Irritable Bowel Syndrome Symptoms	Beneficial	Moderate	View source All eight trials came to the same conclusion: Probiotic treatment may significantly reduce symptoms.